PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between King Kong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Katsunori Takahashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Takahashi has chosen Kinnikuman - Go Fight! as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. King Kong had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Kong
vs
Takahashi

225 cm
28
155 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

163 cm
19
152 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, King Kong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Katsunori Takahashi!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Leandro Rodrigues and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Kong.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Kong fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Takahashi wants to get back to his feet.
Kong will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Takahashi is trying to improve his position.
Takahashi wants to control but Kong postures up.
Kong trying to control the action but Takahashi is working from the bottom.
Takahashi is trying to get back to half guard.
Kong really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Takahashi is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Kong is one step ahead and moves to full mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takahashi tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Takahashi sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Takahashi is trying to stand.
Kong performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Kong definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Takahashi won't allow Kong to pass to mount.
Takahashi is trying to control but can't.
Takahashi tries to get to full guard but Kong has control of the leg.
Kong works his way into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kong has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Kong moves into the clinch successfully.
Takahashi is looking to break free of the clinch but Kong has double underhooks.
Takahashi is trying to break the clinch but Kong is controlling him.

Kong pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Takahashi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kong.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kong tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Takahashi swivels and escapes.
Kong dives in for a single leg takedown but Takahashi sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for King Kong. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Takahashi is looking to break free of the clinch but Kong has double underhooks.
Kong prevents Takahashi from breaking the clinch.
Takahashi has had enough of the clinch but Kong keeps him there for the moment.

Kong gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Kong trying to pass the guard but Takahashi defending well.
Takahashi tries to roll over but Kong keeps him under control.
Takahashi really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kong. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Takahashi makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Takahashi.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi trying to control the position.
Takahashi controlling Kong's posture.
Takahashi trying to control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Katsunori Takahashi.

Kong gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that King Kong will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kong throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Takahashi tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Kong is in Takahashi's guard.
Kong pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Takahashi is keeping the position for now.
Takahashi is trying to control the position but Kong postures up.
Takahashi is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Takahashi seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kong does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Takahashi controlling the action here.
Takahashi is looking to take a break and control but Kong is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Katsunori Takahashi hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Kong closes this distance looking for a takedown but Takahashi circles away.
Kong misses with a head kick.
Takahashi leaves Kong with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kong shoots in looking for a takedown. Takahashi tries to sprawl out of it but Kong keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Takahashi manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for King Kong. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Takahashi tries to clinch but Kong moves away

and Kong moves into the clinch.

Kong has picked Takahashi up - he's going for a ride! Kong dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi trying to hold on to Kong's head to control him but Kong postures up.
Kong prevents Takahashi from improving his position.
Takahashi is controlling Kong's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Takahashi tries to roll over but Kong keeps him under control.
Takahashi wants to control but Kong is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Katsunori Takahashi hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Kong is trying hard to land a takedown here. Takahashi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Kong closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Takahashi's guard.
Kong postures up.
Takahashi looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Kong puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Takahashi is breathing heavily.
Takahashi is trying to maintain the position but Kong is very close to passing his half guard.
Takahashi wants to improve his position but Kong is controlling well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi won't allow Kong to pass to mount.
Takahashi tries to roll over but Kong keeps him under control.
Kong is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Katsunori Takahashi hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Kong misses with a takedown

and Takahashi counters with a single leg into guard. Kong didn't expect that.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Katsunori Takahashi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Kong shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Takahashi is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Takahashi can't break the clinch.

Kong manages to break the clinch.

Kong closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Takahashi wants to control but Kong postures up.

Kong stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Kong gets in close and instigates a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Takahashi has had enough of the clinch but Kong keeps him there for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kong breaks the clinch.

Kong shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Takahashi is looking to improve his position.
Takahashi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Takahashi is looking to get back to full guard here but Kong has managed to pass to side control instead.
Takahashi sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Takahashi trying to hold on to Kong's head to control him but Kong postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takahashi gets full guard.
Takahashi is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Takahashi is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Kong won't allow Takahashi to sweep him here.
Kong tries to free his leg and advance position but Takahashi is retaining full guard.
Takahashi controls Kong momentarily but Kong frees himself.
Kong trying to control the position from guard on top but Takahashi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Katsunori Takahashi has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Kong shoots in looking for a takedown but Takahashi manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kong's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Takahashi moves to clinch but Kong breaks away

and Kong moves into the clinch.

Kong breaks from the clinch.
Kong shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Takahashi pinned against the cage. Takahashi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kong fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for King Kong. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kong closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Kong working away.
Takahashi prevents Kong from moving into mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Takahashi gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Takahashi is trying to escape the mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
King Kong showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kong has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 29:28
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... King Kong!